photocatalysephotocatalyzev.
/ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)ˈkatəlʌɪz/, /ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)ˈkatl̩ʌɪz/, U.S. /ˌfoʊdoʊˈkædlˌaɪz/ Chemistry.
transitive. To bring about photocatalysis of (a reaction, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [verb (transitive)] > accelerate process
photocatalyse1921
1921 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 119 1034 The photosynthesis of formaldehyde from carbon dioxide and water can be photocatalysed by certain coloured basic substances... The photosynthesis then takes place in visible light.
c1955 Proc. 1st Internat. Photobiol. Congr. 1954 ii. 137 Ferric chloride photocatalyses the reduction of..methylene blue by citrate in water.
1970 Nature 22 Aug. 832/2 The decomposition of N2O photocatalysed both by metal free and Cu-phthalocyanine.
2000 Chem. & Industry (Nexis) 10 Jan. 32 The novel layered tantalate..efficiently photocatalyses the stoichiometric decomposition of pure water, even in the absence of sacrificial agents and loaded catalysts.
Derivatives
photoˈcatalysed adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [adjective] > of chemical action of light > of) accelerated (reaction)
photocatalytic1895
photocatalysed1928
1928 Chem. Rev. 4 347 Destruction of photo-product by certain radiations, as in photocatalyzed autoxidations.
2000 Chem. & Industry (Nexis) 18 Dec. 806 This carbon can be obtained..more attractively by the photocatalysed reduction of aqueous carbonate solution.
photoˈcatalyser n. rare = photocatalyst n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > scientific effects of light > [noun] > study of chemical action of light > photochemical reaction > acceleration of > substance causing
photocatalyst1914
photocatalyser1926
1926 E. Mayer Clin. Applic. Sunlight viii. 160 Metallic compounds, especially iron salts, act as photocatalyzers. For example, benzoic acid under the influence of light will change very quickly to salicylic acid if an iron salt be present.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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v.1921